“This dog’s name wasn’t Don, I’m sure of that,” spoke Mr. Squirrel. “But we must not stay talking here. Scatter, every one of you! Nutto and Fluffy, you go over to Grandpa Beechnut’s nest, and stay with him. I don’t believe the hunter knows where that is.
“Chatter, you can stay with Mr. and Mrs. Acorn, the squirrels who live in the hollow stump. Your mother and I will go off in the woods, and make a new nest, so if we can not come back to our old one, we will still have a home when winter comes.”
“But what am I to do?” asked Slicko. “Where am I to go?”
“I have not forgotten you,” said Mrs. Squirrel. “You can go over and stay with your Aunt Whitey until it is safe. Your aunt will be glad to have you, for she lives all alone, and she has room for only one small squirrel in her nest beside herself. You run over there, and tell her all that has happened—how the hunter has found our nest.”
“And go quickly!” suddenly cried Mr. Squirrel. “Here the hunter-man comes now—with his dog.”
Just then there sounded through the woods:
“Bow wow! Bow wow! Bow wow!”
“That’s the dog,” said Mr. Squirrel. “Hurry, children, and don’t forget the lessons we have taught you.”
“We won’t!” promised Slicko.
Then came another sound, a dreadful noise, like thunder.